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Hi folks,

what is your best reaction to the staring?
what is your best reaction to the spying? (e.g. overhearing conversations, peeking at laptops/phones, following people around etc.)
seems like both things are quite normal for Khmer people.

Live my life to the fullest and do whatever I want that makes me happy

curiosity wrote: ↑Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:58 pm Hi folks,

what is your best reaction to the staring?
what is your best reaction to the spying? (e.g. overhearing conversations, peeking at laptops/phones, following people around etc.)
seems like both things are quite normal for Khmer people.

Smile knowingly.

Stare right through the starers. Use a scrambler for all voice calls and send false information to deceive spies.

curiosity wrote: ↑Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:58 pm Hi folks,

what is your best reaction to the staring?
what is your best reaction to the spying? (e.g. overhearing conversations, peeking at laptops/phones, following people around etc.)
seems like both things are quite normal for Khmer people.

Quite normal for every race I think. I would be much more worried about what Microsoft and google are collecting without staring. if you are doing anything confidential in a public place maybe they are staring at the crazy man?

Ignore....

stares to see how easy a mark you are

I've used the following to great effect in many countries.

Turning sharply and shouting 'boo!' Very loudly. Especially enjoyable if they crap themselves, and become the subject of others staring at them.

Suddenly behave like a complete lunatic, scream at the computer, then turn and wink with a smile.

Get up, sidle over, and engage them in a conspiratorial whisper. (This is now down to how close you are willing to get)

Return the stare.


To varying effect
Find the most obscene porn page and show them.

In Muslim countries/environments, I've attempted to engage their spouse- you know, the creature dressed in Laura Ashley blackout curtains from head to toe with a pillbox slit for the eye(s)

Scratch balls flamboyantly while looking at them

Join them at their table.


In most cases, you'll usually find that they don't realise that they have been staring. You are just a curiosity that got their attention for longer than expected. Suddenly distracting them usually results in their embarrassment. I have seen some of our younger or less worldly crews become quite unnerved by this, though. They then dwell on it and can't let go.

They can stare at you. If you see cute girls you can stare at them. Im sure a lot of men do.

In western culture, people talk about others behind their back. For those who dont speak Khmer, Cambodian people talk about others when they are listening. Some things they say are just information about a person. Some things they say are putting the other person down. Many assume foreigners cant understand. On odd occasions, I have said something back. Sometimes the person has been embarrassed.

curiosity wrote: ↑Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:58 pm Hi folks,

what is your best reaction to the staring?

A little flutter of the eyelashes with a wink and slow lick of the lips usually puts finish to it.

I'm guessing you've not been to India as yet.